§ 48. Mrs. Anne Campbell (Cambridge)If she will propose that the Select Committee on Modernisation of the House of Commons review the recommendations in its sixth report (1997–98, HC 779) on current voting methods. [118174]
§ The President of the Council and Leader of the House of Commons (Mrs. Margaret Beckett)The Modernisation Committee is currently reviewing that matter.
§ Mrs. CampbellI thank my right hon. Friend for her reply. Does she agree that it would be helpful if the Modernisation Committee came up with a single recommendation for electronic voting that would allow right hon. and hon. Members to mingle in the voting Lobby and reduce the time spent on multiple votes?
§ Mrs. BeckettMy hon. Friend makes an interesting point. However, I am not in a position to respond because the Committee has not yet reconsidered whether there is any possibility of a single recommendation emerging. I certainly share my hon. Friend's view that a multiplicity of recommendations is less likely to lead to a clear decision.
§ Mr. Ian Bruce (South Dorset)When looking at new forms of voting, will the Leader of the House make 828 absolutely certain that, whatever system is recommended, it ensures that Ministers come to vote regularly? From the voting lists, it appears that people such as the Prime Minister hardly ever come to the Chamber and cannot be lobbied by their own Members, let alone those belonging to other parties.
§ Mrs. BeckettOf course, I cannot prejudge the Committee's views. However, I certainly believe it important to have a focus in the parliamentary day, during a vote, so that Ministers can attend and Members can mingle. I am sure that Members on both sides of the House recognise the value of that.
I have lost count of the times when I have reminded Opposition Members that, contrary to what they say, the Prime Minister attends more Prime Minister's questions, takes more questions, and is in this House more often than any of his predecessors. It is a pity that it is so hard to get the facts into their heads.